Walking into Pacific Ashtanga yoga shala feels like stepping into a space where tradition, discipline, and genuine community all come together in a powerful way. What sets this shala apart is Diana (owner) and its deep respect for the integrity of the Ashtanga lineage while still making the practice accessible and welcoming. The teaching is precise, intentional, and rooted in a real understanding of breath, bandha, and drishti--not just going through the motions, but guiding students toward a more meditative and transformative experience. The Mysore-style environment is especially exceptional. There's a quiet energy in the room, focused, supportive, and deeply personal. Each student is met exactly where they are, with thoughtful adjustments and guidance that feel both safe and elevating. You can tell the teachers are not just instructors, but dedicated practitioners who embody what they teach. Beyond the physical practice, there's a strong sense of sangha. Whether you're new to Ashtanga or have been practicing for years, you feel welcomed into something meaningful, a space that encourages consistency, humility, and growth. If you're looking for a place to deepen your practice, build discipline, and connect to something more than just a workout, this shala is truly special. read more

If you want an authentic, challenging and highly experienced yoga class/practice - try Diana!! Shes highly trained and certified (by the founder of ashtanga) but she's also a wonderful person who will help you to grow physically, emotionally and spiritually! read more

Such an amazing place and the view is breathtaking! Diana is so knowledgeable and I learned so much from her. Can't wait to go back

I can't say enough good things about Pacific Ashtanga and Diana. I've been practicing Ashtanga for about 3 years and was fortunate to start my practice with some very good teachers up in Los Angeles. When I moved, my LA teacher recommended Diana and so I went and gave it a try. To say the very least, it's a tremendously warm and welcoming place. The location itself is beautiful - overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Dana Point. I live in Newport Beach so getting to Dana Point is a 30-35 minute drive one way, but absolutely worth it. The yoga that Diana teaches is absolutely traditional Ashtanga - no frills or deviations from what was taught originally by patthabi Jois. As a teacher, Diana is really, really gifted. She has a strong but gentle demeanor and seems to intuitively know exactly what each student needs. Her teaching though far transcends just asana - she truly wants her students to find happiness and health and to pass along those blessings to others. I could really go on fit page after page singing the virtues of pacific Ashtanga. I am blessed that I was guided here and that I get to practice with Diana. read more

Pacific Ashtanga Yoga Shala - Yoga Near Me - Capistrano Beach, California

I absolutely love this studio. The whole place, the teacher and students are amazing. The studio is filled with loving kindness. I am so grateful for Pacific ashtanga yoga shala! read more

I travel about a hour each day to attend yoga at this studio. It is worth the drive. Pacific Ashtanga yoga is one of the cleanest yoga studio's that I have had the pleasure of attending. I have been to many yoga studio's in my travel's and this is a unbelievable great yoga studio. The staff makes you feel like you are part of their family. This is a not hot yoga studio, it is a warm yoga studio. The temperature is about 78 to 80 degrees. The yoga classes are scripted like you will find in a Core Power or Bikram yoga studio. The yoga script is ashtanga series developed in by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois of the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute in Mysore, India. It is the only authorized traditional Ashtanga studio in Orange County. The Complete Primary Series class is more difficult then a Bikram yoga class. If you are new to the studio or new to yoga, you will be placed next to the instructor or next to a knowledgeable yogi to help you through the positions. The studio has classes that break down the Primary Series in smaller portions to help you learn the ashtanga yoga script. So, if you are looking for a yoga studio that can help you grow as a yogi, I would recommend this studio to anyone that loves yoga. read more

I really wanted to love this yoga studio and was excited to try the Reiki Yoga class. After a long week, I craved some rejuvenation and relaxation and signed up for the $20 drop-in fee. Had I known that the studio sits atop a bar that blares super-loud live music which thumps through the entire class, I would have reconsidered. Maybe some people can tune out Guns N' Roses cover songs while meditating in savasana but I found the experience more stressful than soothing. There is no soundproofing or air conditioning. As someone who prefers to blend into the background of fitness classes, I was unnerved to realize I was the only person in attendance on that particular Sunday night. The lack of participants might (definitely) be due to the chaotic music seeping through the floorboards. I wish I had known before I spent money on a mostly negative experience. At least I would have known what I was getting into. I'm sure the morning classes are better but Pacific Ashtanga must realize the bar (Sunsets on PCH) has live music every weekend. A heads up would have been appreciated. read more

I was visiting from the Atlanta area and came to a Sunday morning class. I ordered my juice first and we got to it. I enjoy Ashtanga and really truly appreciated both the hands on, adjustments and being told who to follow thru as my practice is in its early stages. Afterwards the other students were super friendly and engaging. I will definitely return. Thank you! read more

Without a doubt, the best ashtanga studio in Orange County. Diana Christinson is our guru, with direct lineage from Tim Miller and Pattabhi Jois. Authentic. Warm vibes. A beautiful shala with a great community of practitioners. read more

Love this place. Never liked yoga before but I am obsessed now. Very casual and laid back environment. The only negative is that there are not many classes that can fit my schedule. The last class of the day is at 4:30, which makes difficult to attend if you have a 8 to 5 job. read more

There is something very special about this Shala and its community. Diana Christinson has created a beautiful atmosphere and is a gifted teacher--honest, humble, patient, and devoted. YOu simply must come and practice with us. read more

So happy I found this place!!! The best yoga at a affordable price! They treat you with encouragement and understanding. Great community, nice mix of people! Please take my word for it and try it out! read more

Sunday evening with Sofia such a wonderful way to close out the weekend and prepare for the week ahead.

This is one of the only real deal Ashtanga studios in Southern California. There's a strong community and the space is beautiful. I highly recommend Diana's studio. If you are yoga teacher and feel like you're not being challenged, I hear the master class is very demanding, in a good way. read more

Amazing. Beautiful, spacious studio filled with people practicing at all levels, from just getting started to people who can pretzel into the most beautiful shapes. And of course, everyone practicing side by side in a kind of silent communion. This place is legit yoga, pure and simple, led by an intelligent, gentle, hands-on teacher who knows how to adjust and how bodies work. Can't recommend highly enough. read more

Pacific Ashtanga is the best yoga Shala in Orange County. Diana and her students are blessed with being part of the Pattabhi Jois lineage. Diana also recently added a Wellness Center that is worth the visit! read more

For a first time Yoga student this place was a great introduction! Even though it wasn't a beginners class, Lesley who was the instructor had a great way of making me feel comfortable and welcome! Great atmosphere, cozy, and awesome instructor! I'll be back for sure:) read more

This is an amazing studio and Diana is an amazing and caring teacher. It is a "shala," a "school." You will get homework (no pressure though). A lot of thought and effort is put into each class and each student, the teaching runs deep. It is also the only authorized Ashtanga Yoga Studio in Orange County. This is meaningful... I found it when I first moved to Orange County about 2-1/2 years ago. I practice here daily. read more

If you're looking to deepen your asana practice this is the shala for you. :) Love the vibe that the instructors give off and love how I feel comfortable to learn more here. If I didn't live 90 minutes - 2 hours away, I would come here every week. Highly recommend this shala! read more

I recently visited this wonderful studio for the first time and was very impressed. I agree with the first reviewer, there is something very special about this Shala. I have done yoga for several years but this was my first try at Ashtanga Yoga. Diana Christinson is a highly qualified and gifted teacher who made me feel welcome and at ease about starting this practice. A couple more visits have shown me that Pacific Yoga Shala is not only a great place to learn and practice yoga - there is an illuminating energy that permeates the atmosphere in this studio. Feels like real yoga to me. read more

I haven't been in a while (year) when i came back my experience was awesome, Owner Diana remember me and helped get me back in the Groove or Flow i should say, the Ashtanga Flow. Juice bar was a nice addition! a true Yoga experience focusing on Breath not the Heater. read more

This yoga studio has a great sense of community and I could not ask for better instruction from any of the four different instructors whose classes I have experienced so far. I came to this studio having practiced yoga for a couple of years but not having tried the Ashtanga practice, and I am definitely a convert, but to that type of yoga as well as to this yoga studio. All yoga systems and practices that I have been exposed to seem to address several elements besides just the physical postures that draw many beginners into yoga to begin with -- breath, meditation, concentration, principles of right living, self-awareness, inner peace, etc. -- and Ashtanga (which means "eight limbs") has its set of elements that have been taught and brought down from the ages. Newcomers to yoga might be most interested to know that Ashtanga practice includes a series of poses that are done in the same sequence so it is a wonderful thing for people who want to be able to practice at home when they are not able to come to a yoga class. The postures are not new to me, just the order in which they are done and the precision of the instructions which I find very helpful. Once I become "advanced" I know I can explore the poses in my own way within my own body, but for a great start, I find it very helpful to have a consistent series of postures/poses and a consistent of instructions that have helped me to feel I can remember enough to try this at home instead of being unable to do my yoga practice without going to a class. I find Ashtanga to be both a very gentle form of practice plus the most athletic and demanding system of yoga that I have been exposed to, and I am expecting to deepen my own personal yoga practice far more than I could have expected, at my age, than was happening in the other (non-Ashtanga) yoga classes that I have attended. I love this yoga studio and recommend it to anyone. read more

I love this place! I tried hot yoga for about two years and found it to be not the best workout and very dehydrating. Ashotnga Seems to be such a great workout for the type "A" personality. One of the best things about this place is that there seems to be a message that goes along with the yoga not only a great workout but you feel good when you leave. I love this place! read more

I can't say enough positive things about pacific ashtanga. It is truly an honor and a blessing to practice here.

I recently had an opportunity to take a class at this studio with Diana. It was splendid. It's so refreshing to take a class with a teacher who really understands the body and is willing to help her students improve. Diana is a hands on teacher who manages to both lead a great class and take a little time out for each student and with seemingly effortless adjustments on her part, all of the sudden you find yourself able to accomplish things you thought were entirely out of reach. Apparently she picks a specific thing to focus on each class and either does a demo or has a student do a demo of that particular thing at the beginning so that when the class gets to that posture the flow is not broken and everyone is clear about what to focus upon. If I lived closer to this studio it would most definitely be the place where I would do yoga regularly. Next to the yoga studio is a small shop with books and clothing appropriate for yoga and behind that is a juice bar. Everyone I encountered at the studio was very nice. read more